Higher growth temperatures compound heatwave recovery of photosynthesis in different populations of Corymbia calophylla.

Higher growth temperatures reduce heatwave recovery in Corymbia calophylla saplings, with cool-grown individuals showing greater resilience than warm-grown ones.

• Why it matters: Understanding how rising global temperatures and more frequent heatwaves affect forest species is crucial for predicting future forest health and resilience. The interaction between growth conditions and heat stress remains poorly understood, limiting effective conservation strategies.
• What they did: Researchers grew saplings from four climate regions under warm and cool conditions and exposed them to moderate or extreme heatwaves, measuring gas exchange performance. They analyzed differences in photosynthesis, recovery, and the role of transpirational cooling across treatments.
• The result: Cool-grown saplings exhibited better recovery of gas exchange traits, highlighting the potential for local adaptation and the risks posed by increased growth temperatures to heatwave resilience.